Production and nutritional value of shoot area of cassava, maniçoba, and pornunça

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the growth, productivity and the chemical composition of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.), maniçoba (Manihot glaziowii Mull.) and pornunça (a natural hybrid). The species were established in plots with row spacing of 3 m and stem cutting of 3 m, without fertilization or soil correction. A completely randomized design, as a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (three species and two pruning systems), with three replicates was used. Pruning systems consisted of pruning 1 – cut of shoot area after 12 months after seeding and pruning 2: cut of shoot area at 12 months after previous standardization cut at nine months old. Significant differences (P<0.05) between cassava and pornunça heights showed values of 106.8 and 116.4 cm respectively. Pornunça presented the highest DM yield in both pruning systems (468 and 197 kg/ha, respectively). DM content differed among treatments in pruning 1 and maniçoba showed the highest average (34.66%), while in pruning 2 the DM contents were similar. CP levels differed (P<0.05) in pruning 1, with average values of 26.19 and 27.58% respectively for cassava and pornunça. No significant effect (P>0.05) on the contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber and in vitro dry matter digestibility was observed. The levels of K and Mg did not differ (P>0.05) among treatments. Pornunça is outstanding due to the great productive potential and, therefore, can be used as a forage option for new studies.